Aoniyoshi Nara no miyako wa saku hana no niou ga gotoku ima sakari nari

あをによし奈良の都は咲く花の
にほふがごとく今盛りなり

Roma-ji: Aoniyoshi Nara no miyako wa saku hana no niou ga gotoku ima sakari nari
English Translation: Blue-green earth, so fine,
the capital of Nara,
like the flowers in bloom
glowing in their radiance,
is now at its very height.
Meaning: The capital of Nara, like flowers in full bloom glowing with color, is now at the height of its glory.
Commentary: Book Three Miscellaneous Poems 328

Headnote: "A poem by Ono no Ason Oyu, Junior Assistant Governor-General of Dazaifu"
This is one of the most celebrated poems of the Man'yōshū, praising the prosperity of the Nara capital by likening it to flowers in radiant bloom. The poet, stationed at Dazaifu, is thought to have composed it on returning from the capital or at a banquet recalling it. Its bright, splendid tone vividly conveys the Heijō capital at its height. Poems by Ōtomo no Yotsuna and Ōtomo no Tabito, longing for the capital and home from Dazaifu, follow.
The poet, Ono no Oyu, was a Nara-period official who served as Junior and then Senior Assistant Governor-General of Dazaifu, and died in Tenpyō 9 (737).

First line "Blue-green earth, so fine" renders aoniyoshi, a pillow word for Nara.
Second line "the capital of Nara" is the Heijō capital.
Third line "like the flowers in bloom" names the blossoms.
Fourth line "glowing in their radiance": niou here means to glow with beautiful color, not scent.
Fifth line "is now at its very height": nari is assertive, closing with powerful praise of the capital's glory.
Author: Ono no Oyu
Source: Manyoshu
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